Dome and reading lamp assembly



y 1960 G. D. LEGGE 2,944,145

DOME AND READING LAMP ASSEMBLY Filed Aug. 7, 1958 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVEN TOR.

ATTORNEY July 5, 1960 G. D. LEGGE 2,944,145

DOME AND READING LAMP ASSEMBLY Filed Aug. 7, 1958 3 She'ets-Sheet 2INVENTOR.

ATTUAP/VEY July 5, 1960 e. D. LEGGE 2,944,145

DOME AND READING LAMP ASSEMBLY Filed Aug. 7, 1958 3 Sheets-Sheet 5INVENTOR. agyeflogye n d States Pa e Ice Patented July 5, 1960 '9Claims. (Cl. 240-735) This invention relates to a reading lamp assemblyand,

in particular, to that typeof assembly which is selectively rotatablymounted within the interior of a vehicle passenger compartment toprovide a concentrated beam of reading light in various portions of thecompartment as desired by the occupants thereof.

Heretofore, it has been proposed to provide selectively adjustablereading lamp assemblies for various types of vehicles including trains,buses, aircraft and conventional automobiles. As will be apparent, thepurpose of such assemblies is to enable the vehicle occupants to adjustthe direction of the lamp assembly as desired to provide a concentratedbeam of reading light. Prior devices of this type have typicallyincluded a socket-like support member in which a ball-like lens supporthas been universally swivelly mounted. Prior devices of this type leavemuch to be desired from the standpoint of simplified construction, easeof assembly and maintenance thereof. This is particularly true withrespect to conventional automotive vehicles which are mass produced andwhich, in the interest of economy and facilitation of assembly, requirea reading lamp assembly which is relatively inexpensive, easily andrapidly installed and simply maintained.

It is, therefore, a principal object and feature of this invention toprovide a reading lamp assembly which is rotatably adjustable to supplya concentrated beam of reading light to various portions of a vehiclepassenger compartment at the will of the occupants thereof.

It is yet another object of this invention to provide such an assemblyhaving a single fixed of rotatable adjustment thereby providing a pathof light adjustment which will sweep the desired portions of the vehiclepassenger compartment.

More particularly, it is an object of this invention to provide a lampassembly of the type aforementioned including a simple but eflicientmeans for rotatably mounting and adjustably supporting alight-concentrating reading lens with respect to a lamp body whereby thelens support may be rotated about a fixed axis at a constant angle tothe optical axis of the (lens to provide a concentrated beam of readinglight at occupied portions of the vehicle seat or seats.

In general, these and other objects of this invention are obtained incombination with a lamp structure having a mounting flange defining anopening therein, and a lens support assembly including an annular seatin which the periphery of a suitable light-concentrating lens is adaptedto be disposed and mounted. The ilens is maintained on its seat on thelens support and the latter is rotatably mounted on the exterior surfaceof the mounting flange by a retaining structure. The retaining structurecomprises a retaining ring suitably secured to the lens housing, andincluding a plurality of pairs of circumferentially spaced springfingers yieldably engaging the interior surface of the mounting flangeto maintain the lens Support in abutment with the mounting flange. Apair of oppositely disposed support arms are secured to the retainingring and are operatively related to the lens to maintain the latter onits seat in the support. The lens support is adapted to be manuallyrotatably adjusted about a fixed axis generally normal to the plane ofthe aforementioned mounting flange, while the optical axis of the lensmounted in the support is at an angle to the aforementioned axis of lenssupport adjustment. The assembly is so mounted within the interior ofthe vehicle passenger compartment so that, upon rotation of the lenssupport, the concentrated beam of light passing through the lens willsweep among the seats within the compartment to provide a suitablydirected beam of reading light.

These and other objects and features of this invention will appear morefully hereinafter as the description of the invention proceeds, and inwhich reference is made to the following drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary side elevation, partially broken away, of anautomobile equipped with the invention;

Figure 2 is an enlarged view taken on line 2-2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a section taken on line 33 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a section taken on line 44 of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a reduced fragmentary view corresponding to Figure 3 exceptshowing the reading lens in an ad-- justed position corresponding to thedotted line position ofFigure 2;

Figure 6 is a perspective view of the retaining structure;

Figure 7 is an enlarged fragmentary view corresponding to Figure 3illustrating certain details of the invention; and

Figure 8 is a view corresponding to Figure 7, but illustrating anotherembodiment of the invention.

As aforementioned, reading lamp assemblies of the type herein describedmay be employed with various types of vehicles, but reference will bemade herein specifically to a conventional automotive vehicle for thepurpose of illustrating preferred embodiments of the invention.

Referring now to the drawings, and particularly Figure 1 thereof, thenumeral 2 indicates an automobile having a vehicle passenger compartment4 in which there are the front and rear seats 6 and 8, respectively. Areading lamp assembly 10 is secured to the ceiling 12 of the passengercompartment.

Referring now to the embodiment of the invention shown in Figures 2through 7, the assembly may be seen to comprise a body structureincluding a lamp base 14 suitably secured as by plural screws 16 to aroof bow or other structural member on the ceiling 12 of the passengercompartment. The lamp base 14 is suitably formed to provide a dome lampreflector 1.8 and a reading lamp reflector 20 which, as desired, maybepainted with aluminum or otherwise given a high reflective lustre.- Adome lamp socket 22 is suitably secured. as by welding to the lamp base14 so as to receive a light source such as the light bulb 24 whichoverlies the reflector 18'. Similarly, a reading lamp socket 26 issecured as by welding to the lamp body to receive a light source 28projecting in a direction opposite to the dome lamp socket and overlyingthe reading lamp reflector 20. The body structure also includes a dooror trim member 30 suitably secured to the base member 14 as by screws32. The door 30 is suitably apertured so asto receive an outwardlyprojecting operating member of the switch 40 which is suitably securedto the base member 14. The switch 40 is operatively electricallyconnected to the reading lamp 28 to permit selective illumination of thelatter in the well known manner, while other means such asdoor-controlled switches may be employed to illuminate the dome lamp 24.However, it will be "ap preciated that the switch 40 may be adapted toilluminate one or the other or both of the lamps.

The dome lamp compartment of the body structure is closed by a dome lamplens 42 suitably secured on the door or trim member 30. The dome lamplens 42 is preferably a clear plastic member through which a gennurpes lht l'be P oiee ed from the d me loan 4, a t o h r hand, the readinglam-p ompartment isclosed by a rotatably adjustable reading light lenssuppgrt assembly 44 which will now be described.

Referring to the first embodiment of the invention as shown particularlyin Figures 6 and 7, it may be seen that the door 30 has an annularmounting flange 46 defining an opening in the body structure of the lampassembly, An annular bearing rib 48 is formed on the exteri surfa e of tmounti g ang bearing sa es-rent with he annular periphery. of a stylizedlens support 9r housing Stl of the lens support assembly 44. The housing50 is provided with an annular seat or shoultlst to-receive the annularperiphery of the lightsoneentrating reading lamp lens 54. In order tohold the housing 50 adjustably on the bearing rib 48 and to maintain thereading light lens on its seat, there is pro- Vidfid a retainingstructure comprising the annular ret -aini-ng ring 56 havinga pluralityof circumferentially spaced pairs of yieldable bowed spring fingers 58.The terminal end 60 of each of these fingers is curved to form a hearingwhich rests against the mounting flange 46 interiorly of the lamp bodyopposite the bearing rib 48. A pair of oppositely disposed generallyupstanding suppert arms 62 are formed integral with the retaining ring,and, project toward the-lens periphery. The upper ends, 64 of thesupport arms are spaced from the lens, and are radially inwardly bent tolfOI'lIl a seat to receive a curved annularfspring washer 66 whichengages and biases the lens periphery onto the seat 52. The retainingstructure is suitably secured to the lens'housing 50 as by screws 68extending through apertures 70 in the retaining ring and received by thehousing.

Referring to Figure 3, it will be noted that the lens housing 50 ismounted for rotation about a fixed axis A which extends substantiallynormally to the plane of the mounting flange 46, while the optical aXisB of the lighteconcentrating lens is at a fixed angle relative to theaxis A of housing rotation. The assembly is initially installed on theceiling of the passenger compartment so that the housing 50 may berotated to sweep a concentrated beam of light as desired to any portionof either of the vehicle seats for reading purposes. It will" beappreciated that the retaining structure comprising the spring fingers58 yieldably and frictionally maintains the housing on the bearing rib48 in any selected position of the housing, while permitting manualadjustment of the latter. The support arms 62 which are secured to theretaining ring act through the curved spring washer 66 to firmlymaintain the lens on its seat.

' Referring now to the embodiment of Figure 8, it may be seen to bequite similar to that previously described, primed numerals indicatingparts corresponding to the first embodiment. In this embodiment,however, the interior surface of the mounting flange 46' is providedwith a bearing rib 72 like rib 48'. The ends of the bowed spring fingers58' formed integral with the retaining ring 56' yieldably andfrictionally engage the bearing rib 12 to hold the housing 50 in anyselected adjusted position while permitting adjustment thereof.

In retaining the lens on its seat within the housing, the upstandingsupport arms 62' are provided with radiallyinwardly directed shoulders6.4 as before, but in this case the shoulders directly engage theperiphery of the lens. Additionally, a generally radially inwardlydirected lip 74 on the retaining ring 56' engages a portion of the lens.periphery to aid in maintaining the latter on i'tSSeat.

With respect to the latter embodiment, it will be. appreciated that theaxis of housing rotation and the mounting of the optical axis of thelight-concentrating 2,944,145 r a V 4 lens is as before. Moreover, thelens housing and therefore the eam of concen rated light can beadiustedto any desired direction in a manner corresponding to thatpreviously described.

Having disclosed preferred embodiments of the invention, it is to beunderstood that this description is merely for the purpose ofillustration and in no Way is intended to limit the scope of theinvention which is defined. by t e laims which follow,

I claim:

1. In combination with a lamp body having an opening therein, a lensmounting assembly; said assembly comprising a lens support including alens seat rotatably mo n ed on said body inform a closure for said bodyopening, said support being selectively rotatably adjustable about a'fixed axis, a light-concentrating lens mounted on said seat with theoptical axis of said lens at a fixed angle to the axis of rotation ofsaid support, and means retaining said lens on said seat andholding saidlens support on said body, said retaining means including an annularretaining ring secured to said support, a plurality of spaced springfingers on said retaining ring yieldably engaging said body, and meanssecured to said retaining ring and maintaining said lens on said Seat.

2, In "combination with a lamp body having an annular mounting flangedefining a body opening, a lens mounting assembly; said assemblycomprising a lens .Support including a lens .seat rotatably mounted onsaid mounting flange over said body opening, said support beingselectively rotatably adjustable about a fixed axis, a lightconcentrating lenshaving its periphery mounted on said-seat with theopticalaxis of said lens at a fixed 1 angle to the axis of rotation ofsaid support, and means retaining said lens on said seat and holdingsaid lens support on said mounting flange, said retaining meansincluding an annular retaining ring secured to said support, a pluralityof circumferentiallyspaced pairs of spring fingers on said retainingring yieldably engaging said mounting flange. interiorly of said body, apair of laterally spaced arms secured to said retaining ring andprojecting toward the periphery of said lens, and an annular bowedspring washer supported on said arms and engaging the periphery of saidlens to maintain the latter on said seat.

3. In combination with a lamp body having an annular mounting flangedefining a body opening, a lens mounting assembly; said assemblycomprising a lens support including a lens seat rotatably mounted onsaid mounting flange to form a closure for said body opening, saidsupport being selectively rotatably adjustable about a fixed axis, alight-concentrating lens having its periphery mounted on said seat withthe optical axis of said lens at a fixed angle to the axis of rotationof said support, and meansretaining said lens on said seat and holdingsaid lens support on said mounting flange, said retaining meansincluding an annular retaining ring secured to said support, a pluralityof spaced spring fingers on said retaining ring yieldably engaging saidmounting flange opposite said support, arm means secured to saidretaining ring and projecting toward the periphery of said lens, and anannular spring washer supported on said arm means and engaging theperiphery of said lens to maintain the latter on said seat.

4. In combination with a lamp body having an annular mounting flangevdefining a body opening, a lens mounting assembly; said assemblycomprising a lens support including a lens seat rotatably mounted onsaid mounting flange over said body opening, said support beingselectively rotatably adjustable about a fixed axis, alight-concentrating lens having its periphery'mounted on said seat withthe optical axis of said lens at a fixed angle to the axis of rotationof said support, and means retaining said lens on said seat and holdingsaid lens support on said mounting flange, said retaining meansincluding an annular retaining ring secured to said support, a pluralityof spaced spring fingers on said retaining ring yieldably engaging saidmounting flange interiorly of said body, and a bowed spring washersupported on said retaining ring and engaging the periphery of said lensto maintain the latter on said seat.

5. In combination with a lamp body having an annular mounting flangedefining a body opening, a lens support assembly; said assemblycomprising a lens support including a lens seat, said lens support beingrotatably mounted on the exterior surface of said mounting flange oversaid body opening to form a closure for the latter, alight-concentrating lens having its periphery mounted on said seat, andmeans for retaining said lens on said seat and holding said support onsaid mounting flange, said retaining means including an annularretaining ring having a plurality of circumferentially spaced pairs ofspring fingers, the ends of each of said spring fingers being curved toform a bearing yieldably engaging said body flange interiorly of saidbody, a pair of oppositely disposed generally outwardly projectingsupport arms secured to said retaining ring, and an annular bowed springWasher supported on the upper ends of said arms and engaging theperiphery of said lens to maintain the latter on said seat.

6. A reading lamp assembly comprising a lamp body having an annularmounting flange defining a body opening, an annular upstanding bearingrib formed on the exterior surface of said mouting flange andsurrounding said body opening, a lens support including a lens seatrotatably mounted on said bearing rib over said body opening, saidsupport being selectively rotatably adjustable on said bearing rib abouta fixed axis, a lightconcentrating lens having its periphery mounted onsaid seat with the optical axis of said lens at a fixed angle to saidaxis. and means for retaining said lens on said seat and holding saidsupport on said bearing rib, said retaining means including an annularretaining ring having a plurality of circumferentially spaced pairs ofspring fingers, each of said fingers including a curved bearing portionyieldably engaging said mounting flange interiorly of said body, a pairof oppositely disposed generally outwardly projecting support armssecured to said retaining ring and having their upper ends spaced fromthe periphery of said lens, and an annular curved spring washer restingon said arms and engaging the periphery of said lens to maintain thelatter on said seat.

7. A reading lamp assembly comprising a lamp body having an annularmounting flange defining a body opening, an annular upstanding bearingrib formed on the exterior surface of said mounting flange andsurrounding said body opening, a lens support including an annular lensseat, said support being rotatably mounted on said heating rib over saidbody opening and forming a closure for the latter, said support beingselectively rotatably adjustable about a fixed axis substantially normalto the plane of said bearing rib, a light-concentrating lens having itsperiphery mounted on said seat with the optical axis of said lens at afixed angle to the axis of rotation of said support, and means forretaining said lens on said seat and holding said support on saidmounting flange, said retaining means including an annular retainingring having a plurality of circumferentially spaced pairs of springfingers, the ends of each of said spring fingers being curved toyieldably engage said mounting flange interiorly of said body, a pair ofoppositely disposed lens support arms secured to said retaining ring,said support arms projecting from said retaining ring toward said lensin a direction generally parallel to the optical axis of the latter, andan annular curved spring washer mounted on said support arms andoperatively engaging the periphery of said lens to maintain the latteron said seat.

8. The combination with a lamp body having an annular mounting flangedefining a body opening, of a lens mounting assembly; said assemblycomprising a lens support including a lens seat, said support beingmounted exteriorly of said lamp body on said mounting flange, alight-concentrating lens mounted on said seat, and retaining meanssecured to said support for maintaining said lens on said seat andholding said support on said mounting flange, said retaining meansincluding a retaining ring secured to said support and yieldablyengaging said mounting flange opposite said support, spaced arm meanssecured to said retaining ring and projecting toward the periphery ofsaid lens, and. an annular bowed spring washer supported on said armmeans and engaging the periphery of said lens to maintain the latter onsaid seat.

9. A reading lamp assembly comprising a lamp body having an annularmounting flange defining a body opening, an annular upstanding bearingrib formed on the exterior surface of said mouting flange andsurrounding said body opening, a lens support including a lens seatrotatably mounted on said bearing rib over said body opening, saidsupport being selectively rotatably adjustable about a fixed axis onsaid bearing rib, a lightconcentrating lens having its periphery mountedon said seat with the optical axis of said lens at a fixed angle to saidaxis, and means for retaining said lens on said seat and holding saidsupport on said bearing rib, said retaining means including an annularretaining ring having a plurality of spaced spring fingers, each of saidfingers including an end portion yieldably engaging said mounting flangeinteriorly of said body, and a pair of oppositely disposed generallyoutwardly projecting support arms secured to said retaining ring andhaving their outer ends engaging the periphery of said lens to maintainthe latter on said seat.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,677,074 Corcoran July 10, 1928 1,678,137 Douglas July 24, 19282,225,217 Hicok Dec. 17, 1940 2,293,326 Arenberg Aug. 18, 1942

